Monday, February 22, 2016

1891 NEW YORK STATE FAIR

Emma Peek, "Madame Marantette."

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September
4, 1891.

New York State Fair.

The New
York State Fair, conducted by the New York State Agricultural Society, has
celebrated its Semi-Centennial, and this year starts out on the home stretch to
complete its hundred years of success as a practical teacher by object lessons
of the knowledge most useful to the farmer, the stock breeder, the fruit
grower, the mechanic and the merchant. The
buildings themselves are worthy of especial mention. They are the result of long investigation on the part of experienced exhibitors
and managers of fairs, who studied the convenience of both exhibitors and
visitors as well as the comfort of the animals, and the general effect as a part
of the whole plan of the grounds.

There are
seven of these buildings—two for horses, three for cattle, one for sheep and
one for swine. Each are 400 feet long and forty feet wide. They are floored with
plank throughout and the roofs are covered with sheet iron. Two rows of stalls
extend the full length of the buildings, being separated by a twelve foot passage
way and having a six foot walk on the outside. The buildings are placed in rail
fence fashion, so that the visitor starting at one end accomplishes a distance of
one-half mile, almost without setting foot on the ground.

Conveniently
near are the switch tracks of the West Shore R. R. (connecting with the New
York Central & Hudson River R. R.), and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western R. R., which run into and through the
grounds, exhibits thus being unloaded most conveniently and with the least
delay and risk possible.

At the
south of the Stock Buildings are rows of attractive structures, erected
permanently by prominent exhibitors, in which to display their goods to best
advantage. Beyond these is the Executive Building, containing the offices of
the President, Secretary, Treasurer and General Superintendent.

Machinery
Hall is the principal building at present used for general exhibits, Domestic Goods,
etc. It is 300 feet long and 70 feet wide—a strong, handsome structure, also
covered with iron roofings. Besides the buildings already described are the
Railroad Depots, etc.

Nearly
$150,000 has already been expended on these grounds for buildings, railroads,
etc., and each year permanent additions will be made, which will gradually make
the New York Fair Grounds the most commodious and complete, as they are now the
most accessible (being near Syracuse, in the centre of the State, and bounded
by the N. Y. C. & H. R. R., W. S. R. R and D. L. & W. R. R.)

So much
for the grounds and buildings; and the description but poorly portrays the
partial completion of the ideal Exhibition Grounds of this country.

In
preparation for the Fair this year, additional prizes were added, and other changes
in the list of premiums made, which increases the total amount offered in
prizes to $25,000.00—nearly double that of previous years.

But this
year a condition was made regarding entries of cattle and horses (viz., requiring
a deposit of one dollar for the former and three dollars for the latter, each
head, which is to be returned in all cases where stock entered is actually brought
to the Fair and exhibited), which has resulted most satisfactorily to the managers,
ridding the fair grounds of an incubus of inferior stock which is unworthy of a
premium, and is only entered to secure advertising in the catalogue and keeping
at the fair, all for the sum of one dollar—the entire fee. The result is a large
list of entries in all classes, but of the finest specimens each of its kind. The
entries of Sheep and Swine are about the same as last year, Poultry more than double,
Farm Produce is represented by four times as many entries as last year, while
in the Domestic Hall—Art, Needle Work, etc.—the number of articles to be shown
are nearly doubled.

A special
effort is being made to secure a grand show of Fruit, and there is good reason
to believe that this department of the Fair will far exceed the record of any previous
in the history of the Society.

A liberal
number of entries of Farm Machinery, etc., have been made, and the plan to
centralize this class of exhibits at the New York State Fair promises to be successful.

The total
number of entries this year far exceed that of last year, which was the largest
in the history of the Society up to that time.

A
departure from the conservative policy of the Society, in vogue so many years, which
will be hailed with joy by those interested in the development of "horse
intelligence," feats of skill in horsemanship, etc., will be attempted.

Mr.
George Pepper, with his troop of jumping horses and ponies will give daily exhibitions.

The
famous Roseberry (which has recently jumped seven feet five inches high) will
attempt to beat the record.

Two and
three horses abreast will jump over five hurdles four feet high, etc., etc.

The most
celebrated lady rider in the world, Madame Marantette, will give daily exhibitions
of skill in driving, riding, jumping hurdles with two horses, running tandem, etc.,
etc.

Also
Jeakles Pony Hippodrome will be on hand every day to amuse the children, with
chariot races, trained trick ponies, etc., etc.

It should
be understood that no extra charge will be made to see these attractions, each
of which in itself is worth the price of admission.

The
facilities for reaching the grounds, as before noted, are unequalled, and none of
the vexatious delays from changing cars, etc., need be feared.

The New
York Central, the West Shore and the Delaware, Lackawanna &Western Railroads
will run excursion trains at reduced rates directly to the grounds, where their
own depots are located.

No
intoxicating liquors can be sold or given away on the grounds—no objectionable side
shows are permitted.

Every
part of the exhibition is instructive and entertaining, and we are confident
that an opportunity to see so much at such slight cost, comes at best but once
a year, and can only be found at the New York State Fair.

R. B. Smith Resigns.

Mr. R. B.
Smith, for the past twenty years a member of the Local Board of the State Normal school in this place, forwarded his
resignation to Superintendent Draper last Thursday and on Monday received a reply
from Mr. Draper accepting the same with regrets. Mr. Smith and the late Henry
Brewer, were the only members of the board that supported Dr. Hoose in the late
controversy. As it was perfectly plain that the successor of Mr. Brewer would be
in sympathy with the majority of the board, Mr. Smith felt that it would be better
to have the entire board in harmony, and as his opinions would have very little
if any weight with the other members, he thought best to resign. This will give
the majority an opportunity to have a board that ought to work in harmony
together.

Mr. Smith
did not give Superintendent Draper his reasons for resigning nor was it
necessary as no man in the world ought to know those reasons better than Mr. Draper.
Mr. Smith is a man of ripe judgment and of the highest respectability and it
will not be an easy matter to fill his place in all respects. While the
citizens of this village will be sorry to learn of his retirement, they will
appreciate the fact that he could not well do otherwise and retain his self respect.

There are
now two vacancies on the board, which will doubtless be filled soon. It would
be well if the people could have something to say in the selection of these
men, but with Draper in the Superintendent's chair and Clark in the Local Board,
the wishes of the people will be ignored entirely. [Local board members were
appointed by the State Superintendent of Instruction—CC editor.]

Opening of the Normal School.

The
school opened on Wednesday with Dr. F. J. Cheney as principal. The Local Board
had taken the precaution to fasten the windows and lock the doors securely, evidently
anticipating that Drs. Hoose or Sornberger or both of them, would appear and
open the school in spite of them. Rumors of that sort had been set afloat by certain
parties but there was never any foundation for them. The attendance is large,
notwithstanding the late controversy and every true friend of the institution will
be glad to know that its future prospects are flattering.

The DEMOCRAT
made as good a fight as it could against great odds for the retention of Dr.
Hoose, believing that it was wise to do so and it has no apologies to offer for
its course during the unpleasantness. It was forced to antagonize some of its
most valued friends in the course of the engagement, but this it has often done
before and probably will do again in the cause of justice. One's friends cannot
always be expected to range themselves on the right side, consequently they
must expect to be wounded in the conflict that follows.

Now the
conflict is over and peace should reign. Dr. Cheney occupies no enviable position
and the path of the new members of the faculty will not be strewn with roses.
The DEMOCRAT advises all citizens to support and encourage the new principal and
every member of the faculty in their efforts to advance the interests of the school.
The students will be studying their own interests by doing the same and we
sincerely hope they will be found doing their entire duty. There is no inconsistency
in doing this while keeping an eye on Draper and downing him at the first opportunity.

FELL TO HIS DEATH.

George R. Woods of Union Square Drops 90
Feet From a Balloon.

OSWEGO, Sept.
2.—George R. Woods of Union Square, this county, met with a frightful accident
at the Oswego county grounds this afternoon, which resulted in instant death.
One of the attractions was a balloon ascension and parachute jump by Prof. J.
J. Frisbie. Woods was one of a number of volunteers engaged in holding the big
gas bag on the ground while it was being inflated with hot air. When everything
was in readiness and Frisbie was getting his parachute ready, smoke was seen
issuing from the balloon.

The cry
was started that the balloon was burning and the volunteers all let go except
Woods. In an instant he was whirling in the air and the horrified spectators
saw that he was entangled in ropes. When about 25 feet from the earth he partly
disengaged himself and let go. The ropes, however, were around his legs, and he
was soon shooting rapidly upward, feet first. He kicked furiously for a minute
or two, and then his body shot downward, head first. When he was picked up he
was dead. About 10,000 persons witnessed the accident. Woods was 22 years old.
He fell about 90 feet.

Emeralds vs. Whitney's Point.

Emeralds
went to Whitney's Point last Tuesday to play a game of ball on the fair grounds
with the club of that place. The Binghamton Republican of the following morning
gives this account of the game:

The
feature of the afternoon was the ball game between Emerald's nine of Cortland and
the Whitney's Point team for a purse of $50. Southern and McCullough acted as
the battery for Cortland, while King and Crandall filled the points for
Whitney's Point. Both nines played a medium game and the pitchers were freely
hit. In the sixth inning, as the score stood 15 to 9 in favor of Cortland,
Whitney's Point refused to continue the game unless Wallace Dunham, who was
acting as umpire, was removed.

The game
broke up in a row, but arrangements were finally made for two umpires, each
team selecting a man and the nines again took the field. Cortland then began
pounding Ring, ending the game with a score of 13 to 25 in their favor. The
crowd favored Whitney's Point throughout and on several occasions the ball was
lost in the dense mass of people which surrounded the diamond, much the
detriment of the visiting team.

The
Emeralds brought home the money although they had something of a struggle to
obtain it.

A Question of Law.

Last
Tuesday the case of Herman R. Call against the Cortland Omnibus and Cabinet Co. was tried before Justice Dorr C. Smith
and a jury. The action was brought to recover for labor. The fact that
plaintiff was an employe at the defendant's works was conceded. The plaintiff maintained
that he was working for the company; the defendant claimed that he worked for a
contractor. Evidence was produced showing that the contractor had absented
himself from town without paying the plaintiff for his labor. The jury took a
long time to decide the question and finally reported that they could not agree.
A new venire has been issued and a new trial granted for the 28th inst. John
Courtney Jr. appeared for the plaintiff. George S. Sands for defendant.

A Fine Display.

Geo. I.
Pruden, the popular photographer of this place, strives always to be abreast of
the times, and his latest step is one that surely commends his efforts to the
attention of all. A few days since Mr. Pruden caused to be placed near the
stairway that leads to his gallery, a fine show case. The case is half-round in
shape and measures about four by seven feet, with glass extending about
two-thirds of its height. Several glass shelves are placed inside, on which
rest many easels containing some of Mr. Pruden's best efforts in the photographic
art. The case is lighted at night by an incandescent lamp, and the whole arrangement
is one that is pleasing to look upon.

Married at the Vanderbilt.

(Syracuse Herald.)

Uncle
Rufus T. Peck, Cortland's candidate for [State] Senator, was meditating over his
prospects for the nomination in the Vanderbilt House lobby a little before noon
to-day, when Clerk Porter B. Jones tapped him on the shoulder and asked him if
he wouldn't kindly step up into the parlor and be a witness to a marriage. Mr.
Peck politely but firmly declined.

"It
will make you popular and you'll be flooded with invitations to act in a
similar capacity," said Mr. Jones. Uncle Rufus, however, couldn't see the
matter in that light. Mr. Jones exerted all his powers of persuasion, but without
success, the Cortland gentleman turning a deaf ear to the intimation that his
presence as a witness would be generally regarded as a good omen in his
Senatorial canvass.

Thomas R.
O'Neill was then appealed to, but he also refused to act. A witness was at last
found in the person of Peter B. McLennan, and the ceremony went on.

The
parties were Mr. Orrin Snell and Miss Frankie Doty, both of Mehoopany, Pa. The
groom was about thirty years old and the bride perhaps twenty. The couple came
here this morning and they left on their bridal trip just after dinner.

A Senatorial Situation.

The fight
in the Republican ranks in this Senatorial district is growing very warm and
may be summed up about as follows: U. S. Senator Frank Hiscock's term expires
March 4, 1893. The State Senator elected from this district this fall will
take part in the election of his successor and Mr. Hiscock wants to succeed
himself. Neither of the Onondaga candidates for the office would vote for him.
Peck has promised that he will vote for him if elected.

The
present State Senator from this district, Francis Hendricks, would like to be elected
to Congress in place of Hon. Jas. J. Belden. If Peck is elected State Senator, Cortland county's claim for recognition would be
silenced for the next twenty-five years, and Hendricks would be in position to
say to the Republicans of Cortland county, "I gave you the Senator last
year while James J . Belden opposed you. Why should you not give me your
delegates for the Congressional nomination this year? You can get nothing from Belden and you never
would have been recognized but for me." His claim for the delegates as against
Belden would be a strong one and would likely be recognized. Then with considerably
less than half the Onondaga county delegates he could wrest the nomination from
his enemy, Jim Belden.

To bring about this result, which will further
the interests of both Hiscock and Hendricks, they have combined to down Belden.
Neither Hiscock or Hendricks care for Peck or Cortland county. They simply
propose to reap all the benefit from Peck's nomination and election themselves.

Peck's
nomination and election then really means the re-election of Frank Hiscock to
the U. S. Senate and the election of Francis Hendricks to Congress, and as a
result, the downfall of Belden.